The best part of making this duck confit recipe? All the rich fat you’re left with. Use it to roast potatoes­—it’s an easy way to upgrade a classic. Whatever you do, don’t throw it away (it freezes well).

Removing all but a strip of the eggplant’s skin lets the flesh meld with the sauce without falling apart—that's the secret of this baked eggplant parmesan recipe. This is part of BA's Best, a collection of our essential recipes.